U.S. patent application number 16/874909 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-08 for front end module.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Won Kyu JEUNG, Sung Tae KIM, Chan Hee PARK, Tah Joon PARK.
Application Number | 20210211146 16/874909 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004841902 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210211146 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PARK; Tah Joon ; et
al. |
July 8, 2021 |
FRONT END MODULE
Abstract
A front end module includes an antenna terminal connected to an
antenna, a first filter having a first end connected to the antenna
terminal and having a first pass band; and a second filter having a
first end connected to the antenna terminal and having a second
pass band different from the first pass band. The first filter and
the second filter simultaneously filter an RF signal received by
the antenna, and simultaneously filter an RF signal transmitted
externally through the antenna. The first filter and the second
filter are configured to support wireless communications of a same
standard.
Inventors: |
PARK; Tah Joon; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; KIM; Sung Tae; (Suwon-si, KR) ; PARK;
Chan Hee; (Suwon-si, KR) ; JEUNG; Won Kyu;
(Suwon-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
1000004841902 |
Appl. No.: |
16/874909 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H03H 9/706 20130101;
H04B 1/04 20130101; H04B 1/0057 20130101; H01Q 21/28 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04B 1/04 20060101
H04B001/04; H01Q 21/28 20060101 H01Q021/28; H03H 9/70 20060101
H03H009/70; H04B 1/00 20060101 H04B001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 7, 2020 |
KR |
10-2020-0001872 |
Claims
1. A front end module comprising: an antenna terminal connected to
an antenna; a first filter having a first end connected to the
antenna terminal and having a first pass band; and a second filter
having a first end connected to the antenna terminal and having a
second pass band different from the first pass band, wherein the
first filter and the second filter are configured to simultaneously
filter a radio frequency (RF) signal received by the antenna, and
to simultaneously filter an RF signal transmitted externally
through the antenna, and the first filter and the second filter are
configured to support wireless communications of a same
standard.
2. The front end module of claim 1, wherein the first pass band and
the second pass band are separated from each other.
3. The front end module of claim 2, wherein the first pass band
corresponds to a band of 5.15 GHz to 5.35 GHz, and the second pass
band corresponds to a band of 5.47 GHz to 5.85 GHz.
4. The front end module of claim 1, wherein the first filter and
the second filter are configured to support one of Wi-Fi wireless
communications and cellular wireless communications.
5. The front end module of claim 1, wherein each of the first
filter and the second filter comprises a bulk acoustic wave (BAW)
filter.
6. The front end module of claim 1, further comprising a switch
comprising a first terminal connected to a second end of the first
filter and a second end of the second filter, and a second terminal
and a third terminal selectively connected to the first
terminal.
7. The front end module of claim 6, further comprising an RF
integrated circuit (IC) comprising a transmission terminal
connected to the second terminal and a receiving terminal connected
to the third terminal.
8. The front end module of claim 7, further comprising a power
amplifier disposed between the second terminal and the transmission
terminal.
9. The front end module of claim 7, further comprising a low noise
amplifier disposed between the third terminal and the receiving
terminal.
10. A front end module comprising: an antenna terminal; a first
filter disposed between the antenna terminal and a first terminal
and having a first pass band; a second filter connected to the
first filter in parallel and having a second pass band different
from the first pass band; a switch including the first terminal and
a second terminal and a third terminal selectively connected to the
first terminal; and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RF IC)
comprising a transmission terminal connected to the second terminal
and a receiving terminal connected to the third terminal, wherein
the first filter and the second filter are configured to support
wireless communications of a same standard.
11. The front end module of claim 10, wherein the first pass band
and the second pass band are separated from each other.
12. The front end module of claim 11, wherein the first pass band
corresponds to a 5.15 GHz to 5.35 GHz band, and the second pass
band corresponds to a 5.47 GHz to 5.85 GHz band.
13. The front end module of claim 10, wherein the first filter and
the second filter are configured to support one of Wi-Fi wireless
communications and cellular wireless communications.
14. The front end module of claim 10, wherein each of the first
filter and the second filter comprises a bulk acoustic wave (BAW)
filter.
15. The front end module of claim 10, further comprising a power
amplifier disposed between the second terminal and the transmission
terminal.
16. The front end module of claim 10, further comprising a low
noise amplifier disposed between the third terminal and the
receiving terminal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims benefit under 35 USC 119(a) of
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0001872 filed on Jan. 7, 2020
in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0002] The following description relates to a front end module.
2. Description of Background
[0003] 5th generation (5G) communications are expected to connect
relatively more devices more efficiently with more large-capacity
data and at faster data transmission speeds, compared with existing
Long Term Evolution (LTE) communications.
[0004] 5th generation communications are developing in the
direction of using the frequency band of 24250 MHz to 52600 MHz,
corresponding to the millimeter wave (mmWave) band, and the 450 MHz
to 6000 MHz frequency band, corresponding to the sub-6 GHz
band.
[0005] Each of an n77 band (3300 MHz to 4200 MHz), an n78 band
(3300 MHz to 3800 MHz) and an n79 band (4400 MH to 5000 MHz) was
defined as one of the operating bands of sub-6 GHz, and an n77 band
(3300 MHz to 4200 MHz), an n78 band (3300 MHz to 3800 MHz) and an
n79 band (4400 MH to 5000 MHz) are expected to be used as main
bands through the advantage of having a wide bandwidth.
[0006] In the n79 band (4400 MH to 5000 MHz), since the band gap
with existing 5 GHz Wi-Fi band (5150 MHz to 5950 MHz) is extremely
narrow, it is necessary to apply a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filter
having excellent attenuation characteristics to prevent radio
frequency (RF) signal interference. However, in the case of the BAW
filter having excellent attenuation characteristics, since the
passband is narrow, it is difficult to implement wideband
characteristics.
SUMMARY
[0007] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the
Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key
features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor
is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the
claimed subject matter.
[0008] A front end module in which one communication band is
divided into two bands and different filters are applied to the two
bands.
[0009] In one general aspect, a front end module includes an
antenna terminal connected to an antenna, a first filter having a
first end connected to the antenna terminal and having a first pass
band; and a second filter having a first end connected to the
antenna terminal and having a second pass band different from the
first pass band. The first filter and the second filter
simultaneously filter an RF signal received by the antenna, and
simultaneously filter an RF signal transmitted externally through
the antenna. The first filter and the second filter are configured
to support wireless communications of a same standard.
[0010] The first pass band and the second pass band may be
separated from each other.
[0011] The first pass band may correspond to a band of 5.15 GHz to
5.35 GHz, and the second pass band may correspond to a band of 5.47
GHz to 5.85 GHz.
[0012] The first filter and the second filter may be configured to
support one of Wi-Fi wireless communications and cellular wireless
communications.
[0013] Each of the first filter and the second filter may include a
bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filter.
[0014] The front end module may include a switch including a first
terminal connected to a second end of the first filter and a second
end of the second filter, and a second terminal and a third
terminal selectively connected to the first terminal.
[0015] The front end module may include an RF integrated circuit
(IC) including a transmission terminal connected to the second
terminal and a receiving terminal connected to the third
terminal.
[0016] The front end module of may include a power amplifier
disposed between the second terminal and the transmission
terminal.
[0017] The front end module may include a low noise amplifier
disposed between the third terminal and the receiving terminal.
[0018] In another general aspect, a front end module includes an
antenna terminal; a first filter disposed between the antenna
terminal and a first terminal and having a first pass band; a
second filter connected to the first filter in parallel and having
a second pass band different from the first pass band; a switch
including the first terminal and a second terminal and a third
terminal selectively connected to the first terminal; and a radio
frequency integrated circuit (RF IC) including a transmission
terminal connected to the second terminal and a receiving terminal
connected to the third terminal. The first filter and the second
filter are configured to support wireless communications of a same
standard.
[0019] Other features and aspects will be apparent from the
following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile device equipped with a
front end module according to an example.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a front end module according to
a first example.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a front end module according to
a second example.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a front end module according to
a third example.
[0024] Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the
same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The drawings
may not be to scale, and the relative size, proportions, and
depiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for
clarity, illustration, and convenience.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The following detailed description is provided to assist the
reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods,
apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. However, various
changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods,
apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art. The sequences of operations
described herein are merely examples, and are not limited to those
set forth herein, but may be changed as will be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art, with the exception of operations
necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, descriptions of
functions and constructions that would be well known to one of
ordinary skill in the art may be omitted for increased clarity and
conciseness.
[0026] The features described herein may be embodied in different
forms, and are not to be construed as being limited to the examples
described herein. Rather, the examples described herein have been
provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and
will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to one of ordinary
skill in the art.
[0027] Herein, it is noted that use of the term "may" with respect
to an example or embodiment, e.g., as to what an example or
embodiment may include or implement, means that at least one
example or embodiment exists in which such a feature is included or
implemented while all examples and embodiments are not limited
thereto.
[0028] Throughout the specification, when an element, such as a
layer, region, or substrate, is described as being "on," "connected
to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly "on,"
"connected to," or "coupled to" the other element, or there may be
one or more other elements intervening therebetween. In contrast,
when an element is described as being "directly on," "directly
connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element, there may
be no other elements intervening therebetween.
[0029] As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any one and any
combination of any two or more of the associated listed items.
[0030] Although terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be
used herein to describe various members, components, regions,
layers, or sections, these members, components, regions, layers, or
sections are not to be limited by these terms. Rather, these terms
are only used to distinguish one member, component, region, layer,
or section from another member, component, region, layer, or
section. Thus, a first member, component, region, layer, or section
referred to in examples described herein may also be referred to as
a second member, component, region, layer, or section without
departing from the teachings of the examples.
[0031] Spatially relative terms such as "above," "upper," "below,"
and "lower" may be used herein for ease of description to describe
one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the
figures. Such spatially relative terms are intended to encompass
different orientations of the device in use or operation in
addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example,
if the device in the figures is turned over, an element described
as being "above" or "upper" relative to another element will then
be "below" or "lower" relative to the other element. Thus, the term
"above" encompasses both the above and below orientations depending
on the spatial orientation of the device. The device may also be
oriented in other ways (for example, rotated 90 degrees or at other
orientations), and the spatially relative terms used herein are to
be interpreted accordingly.
[0032] The terminology used herein is for describing various
examples only, and is not to be used to limit the disclosure. The
articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural
forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The
terms "comprises," "includes," and "has" specify the presence of
stated features, numbers, operations, members, elements, and/or
combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition
of one or more other features, numbers, operations, members,
elements, and/or combinations thereof.
[0033] Due to manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,
variations of the shapes illustrated in the drawings may occur.
Thus, the examples described herein are not limited to the specific
shapes illustrated in the drawings, but include changes in shape
that occur during manufacturing.
[0034] The features of the examples described herein may be
combined in various ways as will be apparent after an understanding
of the disclosure of this application. Further, although the
examples described herein have a variety of configurations, other
configurations are possible as will be apparent after an
understanding of the disclosure of this application.
[0035] The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative size,
proportions, and depiction of elements in the drawings may be
exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.
[0036] Subsequently, examples are described in further detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0037] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile device equipped with a
front end module according to an example.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile device 1 includes a plurality
of antennas ANT1 , ANT2, ANT5, ANT4, ANT5, and ANT6, and a
plurality of front end modules FEM1, FEM2, FEM3, FEM4, FEM5, and
FEM6 connected to different antennas among the plurality of
antennas ANT1 to ANT6.
[0039] The mobile device 1 performs wireless communications of
various standards such as cellular (LTE/WCDMA/GSM) communication,
Wi-Fi communications of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and Bluetooth
communication. The plurality of antennas ANT1 to ANT6 and the
plurality of front end modules FEM1 to FEM6 included in the mobile
device 1 support wireless communications of various standards.
[0040] However, when a plurality of antennas ANT1 to ANT6 are
implemented in a limited space of the mobile device 1, RF signals
transmitted and received from each of the plurality of antennas
ANT1 to ANT6 interfere with each other, thereby deteriorating the
performance of the antenna.
[0041] Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the number of antennas
mounted on the mobile device 1 by supporting a plurality of
standard wireless communications by a front end module connected to
any one antenna.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a front end module according to
a first example.
[0043] The front end module includes a first filter 110, a second
filter 120, a switch 210, a power amplifier (PA) 310a, a low noise
amplifier (LNA) 310b, and an RF integrated circuit (RF IC) 400.
[0044] The first filter 110 has one end connected to an antenna
terminal T_Ant and the other end connected to the switch 210, and
is disposed between the antenna terminal T_Ant and the switch 210.
The second filter 120 has one end connected to the antenna terminal
T_Ant and the other end connected to the switch 210, and is
disposed between the antenna terminal T_Ant and the switch 210. For
example, the first filter 110 and the second filter 120 are
connected between the antenna terminal T_Ant and the switch 210 in
parallel. An antenna Ant configured to transmit and receive RF
signals is connected to the antenna terminal T_Ant.
[0045] The first filter 110 includes a band pass filter having a
pass band of a first frequency band. The first filter 110 filters
the RF signal transmitted externally through the antenna Ant, and
filters the RF signal received by the antenna Ant. The first filter
110 may be configured as a BAW filter. As an example, the first
frequency band may correspond to 5.15 GHz to 5.35 GHz. The first
frequency band may be allocated as a band for Wi-Fi communications,
or the first frequency band may be allocated as a band for cellular
communications.
[0046] The second filter 120 includes a band pass filter having a
pass band of a second frequency band. The second filter 120 filters
the RF signal transmitted externally through the antenna Ant, and
filters the RF signal received by the antenna Ant. The second
filter 120 may be configured as a BAW filter. For example, the
second frequency band may correspond to 5.47 GHz to 5.85 GHz. The
second frequency band may be allocated as a band for wireless
communications of the same standard as the first frequency band.
The second frequency band may be allocated as a band for Wi-Fi
communications, or the second frequency band may be allocated as a
band for cellular communications.
[0047] The first filter 110 and the second filter 120 have
different pass bands. The pass band of the first filter 110 and the
pass band of the second filter 120 are separated from each other,
to stop from overlapping each other.
[0048] The switch 210 is implemented as a three-terminal switch in
the form of a single pole double throw (SPDT). The switch 210 may
include a first terminal T1, a second terminal T2-1, and a third
terminal T2-2, where the second terminal T2-1 and the third
terminal T2-2 are selectively connected to the first terminal
T1.
[0049] The first terminal T1 of the switch 210 is connected to the
other end of the first filter 110 and the other end of the second
filter 120. The second terminal T2-1 of the switch 210 is connected
to a transmission terminal Tx of the RF IC 400, and the third
terminal T2-2 of the switch 210 is connected to a receiving
terminal Rx of the RF IC 400.
[0050] The first filter 110 and the second filter 120 may be
selectively connected to the transmitting terminal Tx and the
receiving terminal Rx of the RF IC 400 through the switch 210.
[0051] The front end module may further include the power amplifier
310a and the low noise amplifier 310b. The power amplifier 310a is
disposed in a transmission path Tx_RF of the RF signal between the
second terminal T2-1 and the transmission terminal Tx, and
amplifies the RF signal transmitted externally through the antenna
Ant. The low-noise amplifier 310b is disposed in a reception path
Rx_RF of the RF signal between the third terminal T2-2 and the
receiving terminal Rx, and amplifies the RF signal received through
the antenna Ant.
[0052] Although FIG. 2 illustrates that the power amplifier 310a is
disposed in the transmission path Tx_RF and the low-noise amplifier
310b is disposed in the reception path Rx_RF, the power amplifier
310a may be removed from the transmission path Tx_RF, or the
low-noise amplifier LNA may be removed from the reception path
Rx_RF, depending on the need for amplification based on the
design.
[0053] The RF IC 400 may control overall communication of the front
end module. The RF IC 400 provides an RF signal through a
transmission path Tx_RF, and receives an RF signal through a
reception path Rx_RF.
[0054] For example, the RF IC 400 is connected to each of the power
amplifier 310a and the low noise amplifier 310b, so that the RF IC
400 provides an RF signal to the power amplifier 310a disposed in
the transmission path Tx_RF. The RF signal is provided from the low
noise amplifier 310b disposed in the reception path Rx_RF.
[0055] Normally, the 5.15 GHz to 5.925 GHz band is allocated as the
band for 5 GHz Wi-Fi communications. The BAW filter has excellent
attenuation characteristics, but since it is difficult to form a
wide passband, it is difficult to apply one BAW filter to the 5.15
GHz to 5.925 GHz band requiring broadband frequency
characteristics.
[0056] On the other hand, among the 5.15 GHz to 5.925 GHz bands,
the 5.35 GHz to 5.47 GHz bands correspond to unlicensed bands, and
the 5.47 GHz to 5.85 GHz bands are bands allocated to amateur radio
operators. Therefore, practically, the 5.15 GHz to 5.35 GHz bands
and the 5.47 GHz to 5.85 GHz bands are used as the bands for Wi-Fi
communications.
[0057] Accordingly, when a BAW filter having a pass band of 5.15
GHz to 5.35 GHz band and a BAW filter having a pass band of 5.47
GHz to 5.85 GHz band are applied to the 5.15 GHz to 5.35 GHz band
and the 5.47 GHz to 5.85 GHz band, respectively, practically,
reducing insertion loss of the entire 5.15 GHz to 5.925 GHz bands
may be implemented.
[0058] According to this example, using the first filter 110 having
a pass band of 5.15 GHz to 5.35 GHz band, and the second filter 120
having a pass band of 5.47 GHz to 5.85 GHz band, 5.15 GHz to 5.925,
the insertion loss of the entire GHz band may be reduced.
[0059] According to this example, according to the switching
operation of the switch 210, the transmission path Tx_RF and the
reception path Rx_RF may be selectively connected to the first
filter 110 and the second filter 120.
[0060] When the first terminal T1 of the switch 210 is connected to
the second terminal T2-1, the first filter 110 and the second
filter 120 are connected to the power amplifier 310a provided on
the transmission path Tx_RF through the switch 210. Accordingly, a
transmission path of the RF signal through the {RF IC 400--power
amplifier 310a--switch 210--first filter 110/second filter
120--antenna Ant} is formed.
[0061] When the first terminal T1 of the switch 210 is connected to
the third terminal T2-2, the first filter 110 and the second filter
120 are connected to the low-noise amplifier 310b provided on the
reception path Rx_RF through the switch 210. Accordingly, a
reception path of the RF signal through the {antenna Ant--first
filter 110/second filter 120--switch 210--low noise amplifier
310b--RF IC 400} is formed.
[0062] According to this example, the first filter 110 and the
second filter 120 are simultaneously connected to the transmission
path Tx_RF, or simultaneously connected to the reception path
Rx_RF, to significantly reduce the time delay in the time division
scheme. As such, the number of power amplifiers 310a and low-noise
amplifiers 310b connected to the first filter 110 and the second
filter 120 is significantly reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing
costs and reducing the product size.
[0063] In the above-described example, it has been described that
two filters (the first filter 110 and the second filter 120) are
disposed in parallel between the first terminal T1 and the antenna
terminal T_Ant. According to the need for reduction in insertion
loss, three or more filters may be disposed in parallel between the
first terminal T1 and the antenna terminal T_Ant.
[0064] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a front end module according to
a second example.
[0065] Since the front-end module according to the second example
has some similarity to the front-end module according to the first
example, redundant description will be omitted, and the difference
will be mainly described.
[0066] The front end module according to the second example may
include a third filter 130. The third filter 130 is disposed
between the antenna terminal T_Ant and an RF IC 400.
[0067] The third filter 130 includes a band pass filter having a
pass band of a third frequency band. The third filter 130 may be
configured as a BAW filter.
[0068] For example, the third frequency band may correspond to 3.3
GHz to 4.2 GHz, and the 3.3 GHz to 4.2 GHz bands may be allocated
as bands for cellular communications. As another example, the third
frequency band may correspond to 4.4 GHz to 5.0 GHz, and the 4.4
GHz to 5.0 GHz bands may be allocated as bands for cellular
communications.
[0069] The third filter 130 filters the RF signal transmitted from
the antenna Ant, provides the signal to the RF IC 400, or the third
filter 130 filters the RF signal transmitted from the RF IC 400 and
may transmit the signal to the antenna Ant.
[0070] A path between the third filter 130 and the RF IC 400 may be
divided into two paths, so that one path may be used as a
transmission path and one path as a reception path. The
transmission path and the reception path may be selectively
connected to the third filter 130 through a switch. Further,
according to the need for signal amplification, a power amplifier
may be disposed in the transmission path and a low noise amplifier
may be disposed in the reception path.
[0071] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a front end module according to
a third example.
[0072] Since the front end module according to the third example
has some similarity to the front end module according to the first
example, a duplicate description is omitted, and the difference
will be mainly described.
[0073] The front end module according to the third example may
include a third filter 130a, a fourth filter 130b, a switch 220, a
power amplifier 320a, and a low-noise amplifier 320b.
[0074] The third filter 130a is disposed between the antenna
terminal T_Ant and the switch 220, and the fourth filter 130b is
disposed between the antenna terminal T_Ant and the switch 220. For
example, the third filter 130a and the fourth filter 130b are
connected between the antenna terminal T_Ant and the switch 220 in
parallel.
[0075] The third filter 130a includes a band pass filter having a
pass band of a third frequency band. The third filter 130a may be
configured as a BAW filter. The fourth filter 130b includes a band
pass filter having a pass band of a fourth frequency band. The
fourth filter 130b may be configured as a BAW filter.
[0076] According to the need for reduced insertion loss, the third
frequency band of the second example may be divided into two bands,
and the third frequency band and the fourth frequency band of the
third example may be determined. Therefore, the pass band of the
third filter 130a and the pass band of the fourth filter 130b are
separated from each other, to be prevented from overlapping each
other.
[0077] The switch 220 is implemented as a three-terminal switch in
the form of a single pole double throw (SPDT). The switch 220 may
include a fourth terminal T4, and a fifth terminal T2-3 and a sixth
terminal T2-4 selectively connected to the fourth terminal T4. The
fourth terminal T4 of the switch 220 is connected to the third
filter 130a and the fourth filter 130b. The fifth terminal T2-3 of
the switch 220 is connected to the power amplifier 320a, and the
sixth terminal T2-4 of the switch 220 is connected to the low noise
amplifier 320b. The third filter 130a and the fourth filter 130b
may be selectively connected to the power amplifier 320a and the
low noise amplifier 320b through the switch 220.
[0078] The power amplifier 320a is disposed in the transmission
path Tx_RF of the RF signal, and amplifies the RF signal
transmitted externally through the antenna Ant. The low-noise
amplifier 320b is disposed in the reception path Rx_RF of the RF
signal to amplify the RF signal received through the antenna
Ant.
[0079] Although FIG. 4 illustrates that the power amplifier 320a is
disposed in the transmission path Tx_RF and the low-noise amplifier
320b is disposed in the reception path Rx_RF; depending on whether
amplification is required according to design, the power amplifier
320a may be removed from the transmission path Tx_RF, or the low
noise amplifier LNA may be removed from the reception path
Rx_RF.
[0080] The RF IC 400 is connected to each of the power amplifier
320a and the low noise amplifier 320b, to provide an RF signal to
the power amplifier 320a disposed in the transmission path Tx_RF
and to receive an RF signal from the low-noise amplifier 320b
disposed in the reception path Rx_RF.
[0081] Generally, the 3.3 GHz to 4.2 GHz or 4.4 GHz to 5.0 GHz band
corresponding to the third frequency band is allocated as the band
for cellular communications of Sub-6 GHz. The BAW filter has
excellent attenuation characteristics, but since it is difficult to
form a wide pass band, it is difficult to apply one BAW filter to
the 3.3 GHz to 4.2 GHz or 4.4 GHz to 5.0 GHz band requiring
broadband frequency characteristics.
[0082] According to an example, the third frequency band is divided
into two bands, and the third filter 130a and the fourth filter
130b having a pass band of each of the two bands are used, thereby
reducing insertion loss of the entire third frequency band.
[0083] When the fourth terminal T4 of the switch 220 is connected
to the fifth terminal T2-3, the third filter 130a and the fourth
filter 130b are connected to the power amplifier 320a provided in
the transmission path Tx_RF through the switch 220. Thus, an RF
signal transmission path through the {RF IC 400--power amplifier
320a--switch 220--third filter 130a/fourth filter 130b--antenna
Ant} is formed.
[0084] When the fourth terminal T4 of the switch 220 is connected
to the sixth terminal T2-4, the third filter 130a and the fourth
filter 130b are connected to the low noise amplifier 320b provided
in the reception path Rx_RF through the switch 220. Thus, an RF
signal transmission path through the {antenna Ant--third filter
130a/fourth filter 130b--switch 220--low noise amplifier 320b--RF
IC 400} is formed.
[0085] According to an example, the third filter 130a and the
fourth filter 130b are simultaneously connected to the transmission
path Tx_RF, or simultaneously connected to the reception path
Rx_RF, thereby significantly reducing time delay in the
time-division method. By significantly reducing the number of the
power amplifier 320a and the low-noise amplifier 320b connected to
the third filter 130a and the fourth filter 130b, manufacturing
costs and the product size may be reduced.
[0086] In the above-described example, although two filters, for
example, the third filter 130a and the fourth filter 130b are
disposed in parallel between the fourth terminal T4 of the switch
220 and the antenna terminal T_Ant; according to the need for
reducing insertion loss, three or more filters may be disposed in
parallel between the fourth terminal T4 of the switch 220 and the
antenna terminal T_Ant.
[0087] According to the various examples, various standards such as
Wi-Fi communications and cellular communications are supported by
one front module connected to one antenna, thereby reducing the
number of antennas employed in the mobile device, whereby the
isolation characteristics of the antenna may be improved.
[0088] As set forth above, according to various examples, one
communication band is divided into two bands, and different filters
are applied to the two bands, thereby reducing insertion loss of
the entire communication band.
[0089] While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes
in form and details may be made in these examples without departing
from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The
examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive
sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of
features or aspects in each example are to be considered as being
applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples.
Suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are
performed to have a different order, and/or if components in a
described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in
a different manner, and/or replaced or supplemented by other
components or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the
disclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the
claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope
of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being
included in the disclosure.
* * * * *